The 32 teams that started their journey in Russia in quest of being called World Champions have been cut down to half as we move into the business end of the tournament. The Round of 16 fixtures of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is out and promises fans around the world some thrilling football. The 16 teams from eight groups that have made to the knockout stage are – France, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia and England. The group stages did not produce any dull moment, was full of drama and shock. Some teams underwhelmed while those that were not favoured produced classics. And now it’s time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 matches to kick-start with the opening match of the knockout stage scheduled is France vs Argentina on June 30 at 7.30 pm IST. Yes, get ready to download the Round of 16 schedule timetable with matches in Indian time with fixtures venue details. You may download FIFA World Cup 2018 Round of 16 timetable in PDF or JPEG format. 2018 FIFA World Cup Schedule in IST, Free PDF Download: Fixtures, Groups, Time Table in Indian Time with Match Scores & Venue Details of Football WC in Russia.

The opening match of the Round of 16 brings two giants of the game in Argentina and France. The two sides had contrasting fortunes in their run-up to the second round, but all of it counts for none when they meet. A whole bunch of stars will be on the show and a predicting a winner between the two is a tough task. France vs Argentina, the round of 16 clash is scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm IST on June 30, Saturday at Kazan Arena.

After Lionel Messi is done testing his fortunes, his greatest rival Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his Portugal team the same day against a marauding Uruguay who had the best defensive record in the group stage. The European champions know they are up against the very best and will need plenty of luck and grit to overcome this particular challenge. Uruguay vs Portugal, the round of 16 clash is scheduled to begin at 11.30 pm IST on June 30, Saturday at Fisht Stadium

Spain and Russia meet in a knockout game after a gap of 10 years, and the La Roja know they are well equipped to repeat the result. Although sloppy at times, the 2010 champions should find the fixture manageable. Russia have their home support as a powerful tool to counter the Spanish supremacy. One of the surprise packages of the cup so far, Croatia take on Denmark in the days other fixture. Both sides have worked tremendously hard to be in this position and must be proud units. As per FIFA WC 2018 timetable, Spain vs Russia will start at 7.30 pm IST at Luzhniki Stadium, and Croatia vs Denmark will begin at 11.30 pm IST at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, both matches will take place on blockbuster Sunday, July 1.

There is no Brazil versus Germany fixture as was widely predicted after the second-day fixtures of Group F ended. Instead, it is the Mexicans who will have the opportunity to stop the Brazilian juggernaut after Germany failed to make it past the group stage. Both teams counter well, and hence there will be little margin for error in this game. The fifth match of Round of 16 is Brazil vs Mexico and the kick-off time is 7.30 pm IST on July 2 at Samara Arena.

2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Schedule Timetable in IST

Sr. No. Date and Day Matches Timings Venue
1. June 30, Saturday France vs Argentina 7.30 pm Kazan Arena
2. June 30, Saturday Uruguay vs Portugal 11.30 pm Fisht Stadium
3. July 1, Sunday Spain vs Russia 7.30 pm Luzhniki Stadium
4. July 1, Sunday Croatia vs Denmark 11.30 pm Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
5. July 2, Monday Brazil vs Mexico 7.30 pm Samara Arena
6. July 2, Monday Belgium vs Japan 11.30 pm Rostov Arena
7. July 3, Tuesday Sweden vs Switzerland 7.30 pm Saint Petersburg Stadium
8. July 3, Tuesday Colombia vs England 11.30 pm Spartak Stadium

Japan, whose fewer card count enabled them to progress at the expense of Senegal meet the powerful Belgium in what is the most hopelessly one-sided matchup. If Japan put up a show entertain, the neutrals should be more than happy. The sixth match of Round of 16 is Belgium vs Japan, which will begin at 11.30 pm on July 2 at Rostov Arena.

Sweden played out of their depths to top a group consisting of Mexico, Germany and South Korea. They will have Switzerland as their round of 16 opponents in what promises to be a very cagey affair. Sweden vs Switzerland is the seventh match of the knockout stage and will kick off at 7.30 pm IST on July 3, Tuesday at Saint Petersburg Stadium.

The first knockout round of the 2018 World Cup ends with England taking on Colombia who are no pushovers by any means. The Three Lions defeat at the hands of Belgium pushed them to second in the group which as per many was part of head coach Gareth Southgate’s plan to avoid Brazil in the quarters. But they now must defeat the Colombians in order to justify their strategy which is going to be complicated. Colombia vs England will begin at 11.30 pm IST on July 3 at Spartak Stadium.

These mouth-watering matchups are a testament to why the World Cup has been adored by millions of football fans across the planet. Expect the buzz to continue as the games have been far open than previous tournaments which is a brilliant site to see. Let the knockout stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup begin!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2018 11:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).